The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has successfully issued ID cards and other vital documents to 37,214 learners at 1,625 schools during the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
This is vitally important as learners around the country gear up for their financial National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. While learners cannot be barred from writing their final matric exams due to the absence of an ID card, having one is of utmost importance.
In collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, Home Affairs used mobile offices to provide services directly at schools, saving learners and parents the need to travel to offices. This allowed the department to assist learners in communities around the country.
Through the use of our mobile offices and in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, we are taking Home Affairs services to the doorstep of schools around the country, eliminating the need for learners and their parents to spend money on visiting offices.
Minister Leon Schreiber emphasised the department's goal of full digital transformation but highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance existing services.
Our officials are on the ground in communities every day, delivering services and coordinating their visits with school principals, School Governing Bodies, local councillors and other stakeholders.
The initiative has reached rural areas like Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, with thousands of learners applying for IDs at their schools.
"The partnership with the Department of Basic Education has extended Home Affairs services to rural provinces like Limpopo, where 8,765 learners applied for IDs at their schools between April and June 2024. Another 5 763 learners in the Eastern Cape and 3 799 also applied in KwaZulu-Natal in this period."
During the same period, the Department assisted 44,619 adults in applying for their IDs via mobile offices.
Minister Schreiber said the goal remains the complete digital transformation and automation of all Home Affairs processes to make it more secure and convenient to obtain civic documentation.
However, while work is being done to achieve this, reforms are required to turn the Department into a digital-first organisation.
This project is a good example of our commitment to continuously improve our use of the tools currently at our disposal to deliver dignity, even as we work at speed to bring about the digital transformation of the Department.
Additionally, 44,619 adults received assistance through mobile offices during this period. Home Affairs assisted 81,833 people to apply for their IDs right where they live between April and June 2024.
